Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Waves

Ethenia looks ahead and sees a horde of goblins materializing out of thin air. Disregarding that, she quickly does a headcount and there seem to be around 80 goblins. ‘Around double our amount huh?’

Taking a step towards Michael. “Don’t be too preoccupied with them being goblins. We don’t know if they’re the typical goblins portrayed in fiction, even if their looks are similar.” She says in a low voice.

Michael slightly tilts his head, looking into Ethenia’s eyes before nodding at her. Ethenia keeps scanning for the horde of goblins that for now seem to be simply standing there.

“Everyone pay attention. They may seem like the goblins some of you may be familiar with from games and fiction, but remember we don’t know their capabilities. They may be fast, they may have magic, they may be immune to magic, we don’t know, so stay on your guard.” He shouts at the group, getting multiple nods in response.

Ethenia estimates the distance between her classmates and the goblins to be around 40 meters. ‘Why are they unmoving? Are they simply spawned in and won’t attack until we’re ready? This is supposed to be a tutorial’. 

“Body Arts users form a single file at the front. Mages focus on supporting your dedicated Body Arts user, but if they’re not occupied with a goblin, and you see another Body Arts user fighting multiple opponents, call it out and help them until the opponents are dead, then fall back to your original group.” Michael continues his speech, and people start organizing.

Ethenia turns her head and scans the group of students, spotting something that could be an issue. “Chris, Marcus, keep an eye on the horde for a second.” Getting two nods in response, she takes a few steps towards Michael.

“Remember that not everyone has self defense training or grew up in a PMC environment. For most of them they are normal elites that just graduated, and have never seen violence with their own eyes.” Ethenia whispers to Michael, and she can see the realization dawning on him.

Michael says his thanks, and Ethenia walks back towards Chris and Marcus, making sure to stay behind the [Gladiator], but still having a line of sight to the unmoving goblins.

“For those of you who feel uncertain, remember that our whole world just got turned upside down. We don’t know what lies ahead, but this isn’t a game, this is life. We don’t know how game-like this new place is, but if our tutorial is combat, you either have to steel yourself, or face the possibility of death.”

Ethenia listens to Michael while facing the goblins, and can’t help but frown. While she doesn’t like interacting with others, she can understand their current psyche. ‘He’s too direct. It is probably due to his upbringing, but he should have sugar coated it for this first wave. While his words are true, they’re not good for morale.’

Spotting movement, she signals for Michael, before taking a deep breath and relaxing herself. ‘Remember their words. Yes this is your first real life scenario, but you’ve trained for this. Magic is just another weapon. The goblins are armed with spears, swords, knives, not guns. Low reach.’ Another deep breath, closing her eyes. ‘Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Make sure your opponent is dead or incapacitated, before moving to the next one. Keep your eyes peeled, and mind your surroundings.’

Opening her eyes, Ethenia’s face is set in a neutral but steely expression, and small flickers of electricity dance behind her eyes.

The goblins increase their speed, going from walking to sprinting. Quickly closing the gap between the students and the horde.

Marcus moves first, taking a step forwards while his posture changes to defensive. Hunching his body behind the shield, while the spear peeks out over the top.

Chris conjures two flaming spears, hovering over each of his shoulders.

Michael draws his sword, holding it in a two handed grip.

Ethenia shifts her gaze from her teammates, to the goblins. 20 meters, 15, 10. ‘In range.’

Willing a Spark to manifest, it hits the targeted goblin in the face, as it couldn’t stop its momentum. The spell connects and the goblin falls to the ground, twitching. ‘Remember to keep an eye on it, to see how long it’s paralyzed.’ Ethenia thinks as the first goblin makes contact with Marcus’ shield. He thrusts his spear forwards, but the goblin evades and is hit in the shoulder, instead of the head.

Marcus hits the goblin with his shield, before making room for Michael, his sword faintly glowing with a red hue, as it penetrates the goblins torso.

Ethenia looks back over at the paralyzed goblin, and has counted five seconds. She notices its paralyzation is over, and it starts to get back up, obviously injured, as its movements are slower and disjointed.

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Feeling the heat of Chris’ spears whizzing forward, they impact on another goblin behind the one keeping the [Gladiator] occupied, and the goblin combusts into flames.

‘Flames seem to be a weakness. Is it the furs they’re wearing that’s combustible? Or is it dirt, grime and other fluids clinging to their skin?’ Ethenia ponders. She looks at the other groups. ‘It seems that everyone is somewhat proficient in their weapon or magic. I assume it’s due to the same sensation I felt earlier where the knowledge simply seems implanted into your mind.’

Ethenia spots the goblin that Michael pierced is still moving. She turns her focus to it and discharges two sparks, one at its torso and the other at its head. Momentarily surprised as she can feel the experience flowing into her, confirming the goblin is dead.

Noticing a group of five goblins charging for Marcus, she quickly steps up towards him and Michael. “Keep them occupied for a few seconds.” She tells them, and they give her a nod.

Positioning herself better, she notices Marcus using a Body Art, and all five goblins focus on him. ‘Must be the aggro ability. Perfect.’ Bringing up her right hand, she emits a Spark Stream, connecting with the first goblin. Quickly noticing the paralyzing effect, she wills the stream onto the next target, until all five are down for the count.

Michael is about to step up to kill them, but she quickly stops him. “Can you let me have these five? I want to confirm something.” She asks. Michael gives her a confused look, but steps back.

Ethenia discharges another Spark Stream, holding it on each goblin until they’re dead. On the 4th one she feels nothing. She notices it’s dead, but she received no experience.

Quickly glancing at the other groups, she can tell not all of them fares as well as Ethenia’s does, and upon spotting a certain [Elementalist] she forms a plan. Before she can implement it, Michael distracts her. “What did you want to confirm?” He asks, and Ethenia spares him a glance as she explains. “I only received experience from the first three goblins. I could feel they died as the experience flowed through me, but after the third I got nothing, and had to visually confirm they’re dead. I don’t want to conclude with finality, but it seems that you can only gain so much experience from the same type of opponent. I’m not sure why.” Her explanation is quick and even, as her eyes keep scanning the situation with the other groups. Michael nods to her, but she doesn’t see it.

“Chris, can you handle this place on your own? I got an idea.” She asks the [Conjurer], and Chris gives her a smile and a nod. She quickly thanks him before moving towards the [Elementalist] she spotted earlier.

Weaving her way through the students, making sure not to end up in the line of fire, she makes her way through them. “Hey, your affinity is Hydro, right?” She asks the girl in front of her. The girl almost jumps in surprise, but looks up at Ethenia and then nods. Ethenia’s mind whirs. “Can you emit a steady stream of water?” She asks for confirmation, and the girl nods again.  A grin spread across Ethenia’s face. “Perfect. Follow me.” She grabs the hand of the girl, without waiting for her response.

Making their way back towards the front, where Ethenia’s group is taking point. She quickly explains her plan to her team, before turning back towards the girl. “Can you soak the remaining goblins in water? You don’t have to do any damage, just make sure they’re wet, okay?” The girl looks confused, but nods.

Ethenia watches the goblins drip with water, before stepping forwards with almost a manic grin on her face. ‘Spark Stream’.

As the stream hits the first goblin, an intense light erupts making Ethenia shield her eyes for a few seconds. Uncovering her eyes she takes in the scene in front of her. Charred remains of goblins, still smoking from certain parts of their bodies.

A voice from behind distracts her. “Sweetie, you should control your expression.” She turns around and looks at Chris. Tilting her head in confusion before touching her face with her hand, and feeling the wide grin on her face.

‘When did i?’ Ethenia becomes confused, as she can’t remember the last time she smiled genuinely, or she felt this happy. ‘Is this why I have the Battle Mage talent?’

Looking back towards the destruction she made, the thirty or so dead goblins she electrocuted. She spots two remaining stragglers, but they’re quickly dispatched by one of the other teams. She can’t help but feen genuine joy, and purpose. ‘Finally something interesting that I can dedicate my life to.’ She thinks, feeling the grin creep back onto her face.

A sound distracts her, and she looks up into the sky.

 

 

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